Windows 8 Consumer Preview (a beta build) is now officially live on Microsoft's servers, so get ready for the rush. Travel here to get it.

Windows Chief Steven Sinofsky at the unveil event stated, "We are really excited to be here. This is a day that's been long in coming for the Windows team. I just got a picture of the operations center where they're getting ready for the downloads. They've been up since 3 AM."

If you download it and try it, be sure to leave a comment letting us know what you think.

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A crucial step in the road towards the launch of Microsoft Corp.'s (MSFT) next commercial personal computer operating system is set to be taken in just minutes or perhaps hours from now. Microsoft will unveil a public beta of Windows 8 to the world. It is pitching the beta both to consumers and to businesses, who might not have jumped onboard the earlier MSDN/TechNet preview builds.

Like Apple, Inc.'s (AAPL) forthcoming Mountain Lion, Microsoft is pushing hard to "appify" traditional programs, bringing them in line with smartphone apps in terms of app store distribution, icons, and interfaces. Microsoft is also pushing its SkyDrive -- its cloud storage scheme.

Ahead of the launch, some of the built in wallpapers have leaked via r27, an Italian website. You can grab the 23.6 MB package from here.

(Click to enlarge)

The entire Windows 8 download (X64) is expected to be a bit under 3 GB.

Update: The X64 download is 3.3 GB for the English version, while the 32-bit version is 2.5 GB.

Microsoft has published a guide [PDF] for business. It suggests how business can put Windows 8 on a USB stick for quick and painless managed boots at remote locations. Given current USB stick capacities have reached 128 GB, it shouldn't be hard to squeeze a managed copy of Windows 8 on there, space-wise.

Microsoft's business guide also brags about SmartScreen Application Reputation, a feature that screens downloads. When you go to open a download, if it is a suspect file type and not from a trusted source a warning is given suggesting the user to abort.

The new OS should go live shortly, we will post a link when it does.

Remember, you can install the new operating system as a fully bootable operating system on a single-boot or multi-boot configuration, or more convenient pop it in a virtual machine like VMWare, Inc.'s (VMW) VMWare Workstation.